Overview Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Direct Purchasing Analyst? Then we're looking for you! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world‑class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Job Summary Panasonic Energy is expanding to De Soto, Kansas, building the world’s largest lithium‑ion battery factory. We need a Direct Purchasing Analyst to manage the end‑to‑end purchasing process for assigned raw material categories, maintain optimal inventory levels, oversee supplier performance, and support purchasing system functionality within SAP. Essential Duties Functional Operations Manage purchase orders for raw materials within assigned categories Coordinate direct materials suppliers, including on‑time shipments, logistics tracking, and goods receipts Maintain target inventory levels for specific raw material categories Monitor inventory of materials and components on hand, identify shortages, and schedule production or purchase accordingly Manage Panasonic’s Purchasing module in SAP Address purchasing system service or delivery issues directly with suppliers Resolve order and invoicing issues with internal users, suppliers, and/or Corporate Accounts Payable Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement Generate and analyze reports on PSI, purchase orders, and invoices to track performance and identify efficiency improvement opportunities Partner with the Technology organization to enhance purchasing systems and reporting capabilities Training & Team Support Provide system and process guidance to internal users related to purchasing transactions and issue resolution Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Communication Engage relevant internal stakeholders—including Operations, Planning, Logistics, Engineering, Quality Control, IT, Legal, Risk Assessment, and Sourcing teams—to finalize agreements and ensure supply continuity Quality, Safety, & Compliance Ensure purchasing activities align with company policies, supplier agreements, and financial controls Support audit requirements and maintain accurate purchasing documentation within SAP Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements Possibly required: full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and full hazmat suit with respirator Qualifications Education – Required Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education. Preferred Professional certification or progress toward certification (e.g., CPIM, CSCP, CPSM) Essential Qualifications 2+ years of relevant experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, or Procure‑to‑Pay (P2P) processes Hands‑on experience with SAP Purchasing and Supply Chain modules Experience managing purchase orders, supplier performance, and inventory levels in a manufacturing or production environment Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to interpret purchasing, inventory, and cost data Demonstrated experience in sourcing support and supplier management Proven analytical, problem‑solving, organizational, and project management skills Ability to support cross‑functional initiatives and effectively influence stakeholders to resolve issues Working knowledge of procurement technologies and systems supporting strategic sourcing and P2P workflows Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel; working knowledge of PowerPoint and Word Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet time‑sensitive deadlines Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with all levels of management Self‑starter who can work independently with minimal supervision in a fast‑paced, dynamic organization Highly motivated, flexible, and proactive with a continuous improvement mindset Must have working‑level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English Alignment to Panasonic’s seven (7) core principles Preferred Qualifications 4+ years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, or Procure‑to‑Pay (P2P) environments Experience leading supplier performance improvement initiatives Experience supporting or leading sourcing events and contract implementation Supply chain planning experience, including demand forecasting or production planning alignment Experience resolving complex order, delivery, invoicing, or system discrepancies across multiple stakeholders Experience generating and presenting KPI dashboards and performance reports (e.g., PSI, PO accuracy, supplier OTIF metrics) Tableau or other advanced data visualization/reporting tool experience Demonstrated experience influencing change and driving process improvements across functions Physical Demands Sit: 10% Walk: 70% Stand: 20% Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare ( Lift up to 35 lbs. Frequent, up to 20 lbs. Frequent, up to 10 lbs. Frequent; team‑lift only over 35 lbs. Occasional Benefits & Perks – What’s In It For You Health Benefits – Medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, HSA, FSA options Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) with company matching and immediate vesting Paid Time‑Off – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job‑related courses after six months of service Health Management and Well‑being Programs – Lifestyle spending, EAP, virtual care, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, life stage & fertility resources Employee Recognition – High5 platform, quarterly and annual awards Annual Bonus – Performance‑based bonus opportunity On‑site Food Options – Cafés, snack and beverage kitchens, vendor visits, employee events Legal and Equal Opportunity Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Due to the high volume of responses, we will only respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction. Supplemental Information Pre‑employment drug testing is required. #J-18808-Ljbffr